Cardinals fall to Lakers in five sets

Cardinals fall to Lakers in five sets

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich - The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team fell to Grand Valley State, 3-2, in GLIAC play. The Cardinals fall to to 16-6 overall and 8-3 in the GLIAC.

The first set was evenly matched through the first five points knotting the set, 5-5. GVSU would go on to take a four point lead which didn't hold for long as the Cardinals tied the set, 11-11. SVSU and GVSU fought back and forth through 19 points keeping the set knotted, 19-19. The Lakers went on to score three consecutive points pushing the Cardinals up against the wall. Saginaw Valley could not fight their way out and GVSU would take set one, 25-23.

The Cardinals found themselves in an early, 6-2, deficit in set two. SVSU made up this difference quickly and the Cardinals tied the set, 9-9. The Lakers regained the lead scoring three points in-a-row to put GVSU up, 12-9. This three point deficit held true until the Cardinals took the lead, 24-20. The last point of the second set went to the Cardinals as Maria Vukaj sent the final kill to the floor as the GVSU defenders were caught on their heels. SVSU took set two 25-23 to tie the match, 1-1.

SVSU held the momentum heading into set three with the match knotted, 1-1. The Cardinals used the momentum from set two to take an early, 4-1, lead over the Lakers. Grand Valley made some adjustments defensively and regained the lead by scoring four unanswered points. SVSU slowly fought back and tied the set, 13-13, on a block from Vukaj and Emily Friesl. The set would stay knotted to, 19-19, and GVSU would close the set scoring the final six points, only allowing SVSU to score one ending the set, 25-20.

The Cardinals made the necessary adjustments heading into the fourth set as they took an early, 10-7, lead over the Lakers. Grand Valley fought back and stole some steam from SVSU but the Cardinals would not be denied as they regained the lead, 21-15. This six point deficit was too big for GVSU to overcome and SVSU would win set four, 25-19, sending the match into a fifth set with the score tied, 2-2.

 The fifth set opened with back-and-forth action as the score was tied, 4-4. GVSU would go on a defensive drive to put them up, 11-5. The six point deficit was too much for the Cardinals to overcome and they would eventually drop the fifth set, 15-10.

Inside the Box Score

  • The Cardinals were led by Emily Friesl who recorded 15 kills and had a team high hitting percentage of .303. She also added five blocks and three digs defensively.
  • Sarah Tabit who recorded 17 kills and three service aces.
  • Hannah Tabit led the Cardinals in assists with 44, had four service aces, 10 digs, and two blocks. 

From Head Coach Will Stanton

 "Grand Valley brought a lot of offensive pressure and we struggled to keep up with their pace. And we committed too many errors in our offense and serving to keep up with them. We fought hard, but we just didn't execute at the level we needed to."

Up Next... 

The Cardinals are back in action Friday (Nov. 1) as they hit the road to take on the #18 Ferris State Bulldogs. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. You can follow the action live at svsucardinals.com.